Our pledge: Labour will keep the same low Council Tax

January news

The best news is that Rosena had a baby girl last month, Layla Maria, and they are both doing really well.

Do you use Tooting Common at all?

Have you got a few minutes to fill in this questionnaire? It would be great to get as many responses as possible to get feedback on how the Council can improve the Common. I’ve filled it and included a request for public toilets near the playground. The deadline is February 6th.

Lots of local residents were annoyed at the amount of time we were all dodging Christmas trees on the pavements this year, and that trees weren’t collected from front gardens even when they finally went from the streets. I’ve been passing on lots of emails and complaints and hope that next year we can have more information about when they will actually be taken to avoid this happening again. The Council do a great job of clearing 139,000 trees in a fortnight, but with better information this could be a better service.

More, closer surgeries and ways to be in touch with us

Up to now Councillors surgeries have been held in far-off Tooting Library, but we’ve wanted to have much more opportunities for anyone to contact us. We’re very active at responding to emails, meeting with residents and going and speaking with people on the doorsteps most weekends (last weekend we were speaking with residents of Carminia and Childebert Roads, during the week we will be visiting Larch Close). We’re also on twitter: @DrRosena and @CllrFleur

Now we’ve started monthly surgeries at Balham library – do just come along. Our first surgery was last Saturday, and future dates are from 11am – 12 noon on Saturday February 21st, Saturday March 21st and April 18th.

Wheatsheaf

Its not closing! The leaseholders were Antic but they gave up their lease at the end of Janaury and the owenrs, Enterprize, have given assurances that another company will be taking on the lease (maybe Youngs?) and that it will continue to be our community pub.

More information is here: http://www.sadiqkhan.org.uk/future_of_much_loved_pub_is_safe_owners_reassure_sadiq

Tooting Bec Lesuire Centre refurbishment – what about the creche?

Tooting Bec Lesuire centre is due to be refurbished very soon and I’m really looking forward to the resulting improvements in the changing rooms and the addition of a sauna. However future plans for the creche are less clear as the current creche room will be used for something else in the current plans. At the request of local mums who are only able to use the Lesuire centre because of the creche I am following up on this.

No ParkRun Yet

Since the decision that ParkRun could start organising runs on the Common and wouldn’t need to pay, ParkRun haven’t progressed this with the Council yet so there is no sign of these starting soon – unfortunately.

Family offered accommodation in West Bromwich

As featured in the Wandsworth Guardian this week, some local families are indeed being offered accomodation in the West Midlands despite having no connection there at all. I’ve been supporting a family facing this traumatic ‘offer’ which will break up the family and take the mum away from studies and her job, childcare, support networks and chance to support her family.

Action to repair the Lodge on Tooting Bec Road

There has been a lot of concern about the lovely, old white building on Tooting Bec Road which used to be a garden centre, was bought by a developer some years ago and seems to be falling into disrepair. Following public pressure, the Council has now served a notice requiring the owner to carry out urgent repairs or face the prospect of legal action. Workmen have since been seen on the roof – watch this space, and do add any news of work if you see it in the comments below.